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Stanley Cup coaches are on spot for final tilts

CHICAGO (AP) — Claude Julien is the only NHL coach that Milan Lucic has played for during his time in the league, and the big Boston Bruins forward swears by him.

Duncan Keith says what you see is what you get when it comes to Joel Quenneville, and the coach’s steady hand is a big reason for the success of the Chicago Blackhawks.

While the Bruins and Blackhawks compete on the ice, two former NHL defensemen are trying to become the 14th coach with at least two Stanley Cup titles. And the players all seem confident in their bench boss.

“They’ve got a role to play, just like we do as players,” Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said Friday. “Ultimately it’s going to be decided on the ice, but our coaching staff, the Bruins as well, they have a lot to say with what goes on.”

They’ve already had an impact. And the next move, along with the response from the other side, could be a deciding factor in who wins this tight series between two of the NHL’s most beloved franchises.

The Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory in Boston on Wednesday made it a split of the first four games. The series resumes on Saturday night in Chicago, with the rest of league’s coaching fraternity enjoying the chess match between two of its most accomplished members.

“Both are veteran coaches who understand management of people, accountability, and playing the players who are playing the best,” said Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, who lost to Quenneville’s Blackhawks in the Western Conference semifinals.

Chicago appeared to be in trouble heading into Game 4 against Boston. The Bruins controlled the last part of a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 2, stealing home-ice advantage, and shut down the Blackhawks in a 2-0 victory Monday night that put Boston up 2-1 in the finals.

Looking for an offensive spark, Quenneville put captain Jonathan Toews back on the same line with Patrick Kane ahead of Game 4. Toews responded with his second goal of the playoffs, and Kane had a goal and an assist. The Blackhawks’ defensemen also were more active in the offensive zone, with Brent Seabrook scoring the winning goal.

Shortly after the series-tying victory, Quenneville still managed to poke fun at himself when asked about putting Toews and Kane together again.

“Maybe it looks like I didn’t know what I was doing,” he said with a chuckle.

The moment of levity in the middle of a taut series was a prime example of why Quenneville has been so successful in his third stint as a head coach in the NHL.

“I think he’s always been the same guy,” said Keith, one of the Blackhawks’ top defensemen. “I think you always know what you’re going to get with him and I think that’s probably the biggest thing for us, why we have success. He’s level-headed, brings that even-keel attitude to the team.”

The Bruins were struggling on the second night of the series when Julien put Chris Kelly, Daniel Paille and Tyler Seguin together on the same line, and they were responsible for both of Boston’s goals in a victory that gave the Bruins a split of the first two games in Chicago.

“I think he has a connection with the players,” Lucic said. “That’s one of the most challenging things for a coach to find is a connection with the players and getting him to play your certain style, and I think he’s done that with this group. I have had a lot of fun playing for him these last six years.”

Boston has made it to the playoffs in each of Julien’s six seasons in charge, and two more victories would make it two Stanley Cup titles in three seasons. It also won it all in 2011, coming back to beat Vancouver in seven games after losing the first two of the series.

The same relentless approach that helped the Bruins overcome the Canucks two years ago popped up again when they staged an improbable rally in the third period of a 5-4 victory over Toronto in Game 7 of the first round of this year’s postseason.

It’s no coincidence that the occasionally feisty Julien was behind the bench for each victory.

“I’ve always said I’ve got to be comfortable; in order to be comfortable, I’ve got to be myself,” the 53-year-old Julien said. “As a player, I felt things. As a coach, I kind of remember those things. At the same time, when you are the coach, you are the guy that gives the direction so it’s a fine line.”

Quenneville, who turns 55 in September, coached the Blackhawks to the best record in the NHL in his fifth season in Chicago. Under his leadership, the Blackhawks ended a 49-year drought when they won the Cup in 2010.

Like Julien, Quenneville’s coaching style also is influenced by his playing career.

“As a player, it’s way more fun being a player than a coach,” he said. “But at the same time, really enjoyed coaching in the different places I’ve been as a coach. I just think I’ve been fortunate to work with some great people, some great organizations. I’ve learned from some great people along the way.”